Dubuque Fighting Saints forward Riley Stuart has announced his commitment to play NCAA Division I hockey and continue his academic career at Colorado College.

The USHL veteran is in his fourth year with the Fighting Saints and was named a captain for Dubuque for the second straight season.

Stuart was acquired via trade by the Fighting Saints from the Omaha Lancers in the 2019 offseason, and since then has become a household name for Dubuque fans. In his three full seasons plus 20 games to open the 2022-23 season, Stuart has combined to play 167 games for the Fighting Saints. Good health provided, by the end of the season, Stuart will surpass Keegan Ford (197) for the most games played in franchise history.

“Riley arrived in Dubuque four years ago as a young player finding his way into the league,” said Fighting Saints GM and president of hockey operations Kalle Larsson. “After this season, he will leave as one of the longest tenured Fighting Saints ever. His leadership qualities, team first attitude, and relentless work on the ice will be missed. We are happy and proud that Riley will continue his career at Colorado College. His qualities as a player and person will have an impact on their program from the day he sets foot on campus.”

Stuart’s leadership quality is well known around the Dubuque Ice Arena. He was first named as an alternate captain prior to the 2020-21 season, then served as the Fighting Saints captain during the 2021-22 campaign, and now serves as a co-captain alongside his current and now future teammate Max Burkholder.

During his time in Dubuque, the Phoenix native and Jr. Coyotes graduate has amassed 47 career points on 12 goals and 35 assists, 98 penalty minutes, and a plus-13 rating to date.

Photo/Dan Hickling/Hickling Images

— Dubuque Fighting Saints Staff

(December 14, 2022)